Author: Xavier Kataquapit

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:: Wawatay News :: My Iron Horse Keeps Me Balanced

Xavier Kataquapit on his BMW motorcycle on a ride in northern Ontario.

This wave of cold weather reminds me that I do not have a lot of motorcycle riding time left and that summer will soon be turning into fall. Students are heading back to school and some of the birds are already flying south.

I love my motorcycles because on a bike I am in deep meditation. I must be one hundred percent aware of my control of my bike as I head down the road. I love classic bikes and I now ride a 2000 BMW R1100R, that features a flat horizontally opposed twin cylinder engine, a design this German company has been producing for over a hundred years. At this point after riding a bike for almost 30 years I feel at one with this magnificent machine rolling down the road. It is necessary for me to be absolutely conscious of every bump, twist and turn on the road and as well I have to keep an eye on my mirrors to watch for any traffic behind me. Up here in northern Ontario I also need to watch for animals that cross on to the road. I have often had to brake hard or swerve to miss a moose, a bear, fox and beaver.

…. to read the full column, please click on the link below

https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/my-iron-horse-keeps-me-balanced

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:: Wawatay News :: Youth Rising Together Rally in Mattagami

Youth Rising Together held a rally in Mattagami First Nation on August 18, 2025 to bring together local youth to voice their opposition to Ontario’s Bill 5 and Canada’s Bill C5. Pictured is Chief Jennifer Constant in front with local youth and supporters as they walked from the community to Highway 144.

Youth Rising Together held a rally in Mattagami First Nation to allow local First Nation youth an opportunity to show their support of grassroots youth movements. The event was led by youth organizers in Mattagami FN to give voice to young people in the community who are concerned about recent government legislation.

Chief Jennifer Constant spoke to the group and showed her support to First Nation youth as they voiced their concerns regarding legislation that will affect First Nation lands and rights in the future.

“It’s important for our leadership to support our youth. The youth taking a stand is always an important process to support. They are doing the advocacy that is innate in all Indigenous people. I feel that this is not just for Mattagami FN, but for all First Nations in general and also not just for those here today. These youth are speaking on behalf of their ancestors, for other young people and also for those generations yet to be born. We are honoured to stand with them today and participate in this youth rally,” said Chief Constant.

…. to read the full story, please click on the link below

https://www.wawataynews.ca/breaking-news/youth-rising-together-rally-mattagami

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:: Wawatay News :: Attawapiskat First Nation Election 2025

This faded historical photo features my grandfather James Kataquapit who was Chief of Attawapiskat in 1945. Here we see him standing with a hat and pin signifying his leadership. His wife Janie Kataquapit is standing at the door. Chief Kataquapit was also a veteran of the First World War. From L-R are his children: Thomas, Marius, Celine, David, Gabriel and Alex. Missing are brothers George and Leo.

My home community of Attawapiskat First Nation will be holding a local election this month on August 29. It is an exciting time not just for those living in the community but for those members, like myself, who now live and work in southern cities and towns away from the James Bay coast. This will officially be the first community election where off-reserve members who don’t reside in the community will have the opportunity to vote for their leadership. Although off reserve voting had occurred in previous elections, it was in a very limited capacity. This will be the first ever organized effort by local election officials to widely include off reserve members. Election officials will travel to Timmins on August 18, Sudbury on August 20, North Bay on August 21, Kingston on August 23, Cochrane on August 25 and Moosonee on August 27.

…. to read the full column, please click on the link below

https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/attawapiskat-first-nation-election-2025

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:: Windspeaker :: Youth rally celebrates walkers from Timmins as they reach Queen’s Park in Toronto

From left to right: Ramon Kataquapit of Okiniwak, Keira Spence of Youth Rising Together and Tristan Ashishkeesh of the Mahmo Inninuwuk Wiibuseego-stamok walkers. Photo provided by Ramon Kataquapit.

On Friday Aug. 8, grassroots First Nation youth welcomed the arrival of the Mahmo Inninuwuk Wiibuseego-stamok walkers to Queens Park, the seat of the Ontario government in Toronto. 

The walking group completed more than 700 kilometres during their 22-day journey from Timmins, Ont. 

A combined rally with groups Youth Rising Together and Okiniwak was organized to demonstrate dissatisfaction with Ontario’s Bill 5 legislation, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, and Canada’s Bill C-5, the One Canadian Economy Act, which encompasses the Building Canada Act. The new laws are designed to fast track major development projects, including mining and resource extraction, and would impact Indigenous rights and territory.

…. to read the story, please click on the link below

https://windspeaker.com/news/windspeaker-news/youth-rally-celebrates-walkers-timmins-they-reach-queens-park-toronto

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:: Wawatay News :: Youth Rally Celebrates Walkers To Queen’s Park

photo provided by Ramon Kataquapit First Nation youth movements held a rally at Queen’s Park in Toronto on Friday August 8, 2025 to welcome the arrival of youth walkers from Timmins, Ontario. From L-R are: Ramon Kataquapit, Okiniwak; Keira Spence, Youth Rising Together and Tristan Ashishkeesh, Mahmo Inninuwuk Wiibuseego-stamok.

Grassroots First Nation youth welcomed the arrival of the Mahmo Inninuwuk Wiibuseego-stamok walkers at Queens Park in Toronto on Friday August 8, 2025. The walking group completed their 22 day and over 700 km walking journey from downtown Timmins to Queens Park at a combined rally held together with First Nation youth groups Youth Rising Together and Okiniwak. The awareness walk and rally at Queen’s Park was organized by these grassroots youth movements to show their dissatisfaction of Ontario’s Bill 5 and Canada’s Bill C5.

The youth walkers ceremoniously walked onto Queen’s Park at 1pm on Friday together with other youth leadership representatives. They were greeted with a traditional pipe ceremony led by Conrad Iahtail (Nahpaysh Miishenish Aisipi), of Attawapiskat FN and traditional drum performances.

“It was an emotional arrival for us all as it was a very powerful journey where we made so many connections. We wanted to take part in a grassroots movement that represents First Nation youth and show everyone that we are only answerable to our ancestors, our Kookooms (grandmothers) and Mooshooms (grandfathers) and to the Creator. We are not tied to any political organization which is why we created this movement because we only have our voice and the fire within us,” said Tristan Ashishkeesh, youth walker.

…. to read the story, please click on the link below

https://www.wawataynews.ca/breaking-news/youth-rally-celebrates-walkers-queen%E2%80%99s-park

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:: Wawatay News :: Nomination Meeting Held For Attawapiskat Chief And Council

screenshot of Zoom Meeting by Xavier Kataquapit Attawapiskat First Nation Nomination Meeting was held on July 31, 2025 in the community in preparation for local elections set for August 29, 2025. From L-R: Chief Electoral Officer Louis Noah, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Pauline Wheesk and community member Gilbert Spence.

Attawapiskat First Nation is preparing for an upcoming local election for leadership set to take place on August 29, 2025. The community recently held a nomination meeting at the Reg Louttit Sportsplex Gym on Thursday July 31, 2025 to allow community members to nominate candidates for the election. The community will be electing leaders for the position of Chief, Deputy Chief and 11 Council members. The meeting included members of Attawapiskat FN as well as First Nation members who participated through live online teleconferencing from different locations.

The general election day will take place on August 29 from 9am to 8pm and a single advance voting day will be held on August 16 from 11am to 3pm in the community. The advance voting day is being held for community members who will not be able to attend the general election day.

…. to read the story, please click on the link below

https://www.wawataynews.ca/breaking-news/nomination-meeting-held-attawapiskat-chief-and-council

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:: Wawatay News :: Support First Nation Youth Movements Protecting The Land

Jeronimo Kataquapit (on the right) is pictured here with his father James Kataquapit (left) and his brother Jonathan Edwards (centre) in a freighter on the Attawapiskat River as they conduct one of their daily live streams. (submitted photo)

For almost three decades I have been writing a column and producing writing mostly involving First Nations. At the start I felt more like an activist as did many of our leaders. We had been through more than a hundred years of colonization, residential school atrocities, reservations and living in poverty with insufficient housing, poor health care and little support for education.

…. to read the full column, please click on the link below

https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/support-first-nation-youth-movements-protecting-land

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:: Wawatay News :: First Nation Youth Hold Protest Walk From Timmins to Queen’s Park

Still strong and dedicated is Elder Angela Ashishkeesh of Attawapiskat First Nation as she participates in a protest walk against Ontario's Bill 5 and Canada's Bill C5. She is pictured here with flag bearer Rick Cheechoo, Moose Cree FN.

First Nation youth are continuing the push to make themselves heard with the actions of Mahmo Inninuwuk Wiibuseegostamok, a James Bay Cree phrase that means ‘Uniting the People to Stand Together’. The group has started a protest walk to travel from Timmins to Queen’s Park in the city of Toronto to bring awareness and attention to their dissatisfaction of Ontario’s Bill 5 and Canada’s Bill C5.

“This protest is a call to the provincial and federal government to repeal Bill 5 and Bill C-5 as it has destroyed indigenous and government relations and trust,” said Tristan Ashishkeesh, one of the lead founders of the movement.

…. to read the full story, please click on the link below

https://www.wawataynews.ca/breaking-news/first-nation-youth-hold-protest-walk-timmins-queen%E2%80%99s-park

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:: Timmins Press :: First Nation Youth taking protest to Queen’s Park — one step at a time

Still strong and dedicated, Elder Angela Ashishkeesh, of Attawapiskat First Nation, participates in a protest walk against Ontario’s Bill 5 and Canada’s Bill C-5. She is pictured here with flag bearer Rick Cheechoo, of Moose Cree First Nation. XAVIER KATAQUAPLIT/FOR THE DAILY PRESS

First Nation youth continue to push to make themselves heard with the actions of Mahmo Inninuwuk Wiibuseegostamok, a Cree phrase that translates to Uniting the People to Stand Together.

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The group has started a protest walk to travel from Timmins to Queen’s Park in Toronto to bring awareness and attention to their dissatisfaction over Ontario’s Bill 5 and Canada’s Bill C5.

…. to read the full story, please click on the link below

https://www.timminspress.com/news/first-nation-youth-protest-queens-park

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:: Timmins Press :: First Nation youth protest national meeting regarding Bill C5

Ramon Kataquapit, Jeronimo Kataquapit and Danny Metatawabin were among those participating in the First Nation protest in Ottawa as Chiefs met with Prime Minister Mark Carney concerning Bill C5, on July 17. Photo by RAY HOOKIMAW /ATTAWAPISKAT FIRST NATION

Jeronimo Kataquapit led a group of 20 young First Nation protesters to the entrance of the meeting where they were turned away by security.

First Nation youth from Northern Ontario protested a major meeting between hundreds of Chiefs and Prime Minister Mark Carney, on July 17.

The federal government set up the meeting with the Chiefs in a tightly controlled event that was held at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que.

…. to read the full story, please click on the link below

https://www.timminspress.com/news/first-nation-youth-protest-national-meeting-regarding-bill-c5